Chennai: Raising a 'paw' for dog adoption

Chennai: Even as a craze for pedigree dogs has been doing the rounds in the city, a determined group of people have been tirelessly promoting the Great Indian Dog. Their efforts seemed to have paid off at the Blue Cross Adoptathon on Sunday evening, as a majority of those who came in wanted to take home an Indian dog.

At the Blue Cross Adoptathon on Sunday evening, a majority of those who came in wanted to take home an Indian dog.

A monthly or bi-monthly event, the Adoptathon is organised by Blue Cross volunteers to find a loving home for close to 200 furry inmates at their shelter. This time around, 44 pups, six kittens and two adult dogs found takers, which is a good number according to volunteers. In the event held in June, 62 animals were adopted.Rohith, one of the volunteers, says that the fact that so many people were willing to take home an Indian dog was heartening. People are slowly coming to know about the advantages of an Indian animal. That was one of the biggest points that came across in this months adoption drive, he says.Since the awareness of animal birth control is also spreading, pet owners are constantly enquiring about it and bring in their animals for the procedure, says Rohith. This will bring down the number of animals we have to find homes for, and give those that are already at Blue Cross a better chance, he explains.This is already happening, as one of the two adult dogs that were adopted is an old Golden Retriever that had been abandoned by its owner as it had skin problems. Rohith says, These dogs usually require a lot of care, and its good to see people coming forward to take them home. We hope it continues to be this way.